The Optimum Design of Shading Devices for Buildings in the Four Different Climates

In this paper, the effect of exterior shading element on the energy consumption in four different climatic regions has been investigated numerically. By applying different materials and techniques and creating various elements and spaces, architects make hard climatic conditions more tolerable for residents. Shading devices is one of the cooling elements which is used in different forms and dimensions in the Islamic architecture. In the present research, firstly, the thermal loads of a building without Shading devices are computed using the EnergyPlus software. Then, four different forms of shading device are added to the above-mentioned structure, moreover, the effect of Shadings on the reduction of thermal loads is analyzed for four different climates. Finally, the design parameters of Shading devices, in terms of depth and form, which can help reduce the thermal loads in different climatic conditions are presented. The results show that the use of Shading devices in temperate & humid, hot & humid, cold & mountainous and hot & dry climates could reduce the energy consumption in buildings by 32%, 26%, 14% and 29%, respectively.

Keywords:

Shading devices , Thermal performance , EnergyPlus , Building energy consumption